Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
  • A61B5/316—Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
  • A61B5/318—Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
  • A61B5/33—Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG] specially adapted for cooperation with other devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B7/00—Instruments for auscultation
  • A61B7/003—Detecting lung or respiration noise
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/0002—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network
  • A61B5/0004—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
  • A61B5/0006—ECG or EEG signals
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
  • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
  • A61B5/6802—Sensor mounted on worn items
  • A61B5/6804—Garments; Clothes
  • A61B5/6805—Vests
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
  • A61B5/6887—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
  • A61B5/6887—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
  • A61B5/6891—Furniture
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B7/00—Instruments for auscultation
  • A61B7/02—Stethoscopes
  • A61B7/04—Electric stethoscopes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B2560/00—Constructional details of operational features of apparatus; Accessories for medical measuring apparatus
  • A61B2560/04—Constructional details of apparatus
  • A61B2560/0443—Modular apparatus
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/48—Other medical applications
  • A61B5/4836—Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to physiological sensing and monitoring systems.
• Monitoring devices commonly include one or more sensors for collecting physiological information of individuals. Each device may be strategically positioned at a particular portion of an individual to collect such physiological information. For example, some devices such as pillows may contact an individual’s neck and head region, and other devices such as car seats may contact an individual’s back while the individual is driving.
• Fig. 4 is a front isometric view of a pliable object including defibrillator paddles according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 5 is a front isometric view of a pliable object including an ultrasound probe according to another example embodiment.
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a system including a computing device, and a body such as a pliable object having sensing devices and a control circuit in communication with the computing device according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 10 is an isometric view of the pillow of Fig. 1 positioned on a chair according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 11 is an isometric view of the pillow of Fig. 1 positioned on a chair and a user resting against the pliable object according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 15 is an isometric view of a chair, a user reclining in the chair, and a pliable object positioned against the user’s chest according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 16 is a graph of a signal representing normal vesicular lung sounds from a user according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 18 is a graph of a signal representing wheezing lung sounds from a user according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 19 is a graph of contour lines for the signal of Fig. 18.
• Fig. 20 is a graph of a signal representing crackle lung sounds from a user according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 21 is a graph of contour lines for the signal of Fig. 20.
• Fig. 22 is a graph of a signal representing heart sounds from a user according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 23 is a graph of a detrended electrocardiogram (ECG) signal according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 24 is a graph of threshold peaks in the ECG signal of Fig. 23.
• Fig. 25 is a graph of PPG and accelerated photoplethysmograph
• APG blood pressure
• Fig. 26 is a graph of ECG and PPG waveforms usable to estimate a user’s blood pressure according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 27 is a graph of ECG, PPG, and BCG waveforms usable to estimate a user’s blood pressure according to another example embodiment.
• Fig. 28 is a graph of ECG, PPG, and (phonocardiograph) PCG waveforms usable to estimate a user’s blood pressure according to another example embodiment.
• Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
• first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
• Spatially relative terms such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
• the systems and methods may include positioning a pliable object such as a pillow, a mat, a pad, etc. against a chest (or a back) of a user.
• the pliable object includes one or more physiological sensing devices.
• the systems and methods further include sensing at least one physiological parameter of the user with the one or more physiological sensing devices when the one or more physiological sensing devices are adjacent to the chest (or the back) of the user, and communicating the at least one physiological parameter of the user to a computing device to allow for monitoring of the physiological parameter.
• the physiological parameter(s) may include, for example, a heart rate, electrical activity in the heart, blood pressure, cardiac output, cardiac ejection fraction, body temperature, sounds associated with a heart, lungs, etc., blood circulation characteristics, pulse rate, oxygen saturation, etc.
• a user may be in different positions when employing any one of the pliable objects disclosed herein.
• the user may be sitting in a chair in an upright position, a reclined position, etc.
• the pliable object may be positioned between a chair back and the user’s chest/back, held against the user’s chest while the user sits in the chair, etc.
• the user may be lying down on a floor, a bed, etc. in a supine position or a prone position.
• the pliable object may be positioned between the user’s back/chest and the floor/bed, held against the user’s chest while the user is lying down, etc.
• the user may be standing up.
• the pliable object may be positioned between the user’s back or chest and a wall, held against the user’s chest, etc.
• a system for sensing and monitoring physiological parameters of a user is illustrated in Fig. 1 , and indicated generally by reference number 100.
• the system 100 includes a body 102, and one or more sensing devices positioned to sense one or more physiological parameters of a user when the user is in contact with the body 102.
• the system 100 further includes a control circuit (not shown) in communication with the sensing devices for receiving data related to the physiological parameters of the user.
• the body 102 may be any suitable device for contacting a user.
• the body 102 may have a shape that substantially corresponds to a portion of the user’s body such as the user’s back, chest, etc.
• the body 102 may be at least somewhat compressible allowing the shape of the body 102 to change and conform to the user’s body.
• the body 102 is a pillow.
• the body 102 may be another suitable pliable object such as a mat, a pad, etc. as further explained herein.
• the sensing devices include four stethoscope heads 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and three electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) leads 106a, 106b, 106c.
• the stethoscope heads 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d may be wired with microphones or other suitable transducers for capturing data corresponding to upper and lower potions of each lung of the user. Such data may be in the form of analog waveforms representing sounds associated with the user’s lung(s).
• the EKG (or ECG) leads 106a, 106b, 106c capture data corresponding to cardiac electrical potential waveforms (e.g., produced when the contraction of a heart of the user is contracted).
• the system 100 may include a single stethoscope head, two stethoscope heads, five stethoscope heads, etc. Additionally, the system 100 may include any suitable number of EKG leads including, for example, between one EKG lead to nine EKG leads. For example, the system 100 may include a single EKG lead, four EKG leads, six EKG leads (e.g., precordial leads V1-6), etc.
• the system 100 of Fig. 1 may include one or more additional and/or alternative devices for sensing vital signs and/or other desirable data.
• the system 100 may include one or more temperature probes, pulse oximeters, blood pressure cuffs, photoplethysmograph (PPG) sensors, ballistocardiograph (BCG) sensors, ultrasound probes, etc.
• the body (e.g., the pillow) 102 may include one or more ports (e.g., USB ports, etc.) along its side surface, rear surface, etc. The ports may be in communication with the control circuit.
• Sensing devices such as temperature probes, pulse oximeters, blood pressure cuffs, scales (e.g., digital scales), ultrasound probes, chest/abdominal belts, nasal probes with microphones, flow/pressure sensors, etc. may be detachably coupled to the ports.
• the additional and/or alternative sensing devices may be physically attached to a portion of the body 102 and/or in communication with the control circuit as further explained below.
• the chest/abdominal belts, the nasal probes with microphones, and/or the flow/pressure sensors may be employed to assist in a home sleep study.
• the chest/abdominal belts, the nasal probes with microphones, and/or the flow/pressure sensors may be positioned on the user to check for abdominal and chest effort, snoring, airflow, etc.
• the user may be in a reclined position, a supine position sleeping, etc. as further explained herein.
• Fig. 2 illustrates a system 200 including a body 202 and sensing devices positioned to sense one or more physiological parameters of a user when the user is in contact with the body 202.
• the system 200 further includes a control circuit (not shown) in communication with the sensing devices.
• the control circuit receives data related to the vital signs of the user.
• the PPG sensor 208 of Fig. 2 captures data corresponding to a heart rate of the user.
• the PPG sensor 208 may include an LED or another suitable light source for emitting an infrared light that penetrates the skin and blood vessels, and a photodetector for detecting the intensity of reflected light.
• the PPG sensor 208 may detect a change in blood volume circulating in the user.
• a cardiac ejection fraction and/or a blood pressure of a user may be obtained based on data from the PPG sensor 208 and data from the EKG leads 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, as further explained herein.
• Fig. 3 illustrates a system 300 including a body 302 and sensing devices for sensing one or more physiological parameters (e.g., vital signs) of a user when the user is in contact with the body 302.
• the sensing devices of Fig. 3 are in communication with a control circuit (not shown), as explained herein.
• the sphygmomanometer 314 is used to measure a blood pressure of the user.
• the sphygmomanometer 314 includes an inflatable cuff (e.g., an inflatable rubber cuff) for wrapping around an arm of the user.
• the sphygmomanometer 314 may be controlled (e.g., activated, deactivated, etc.) by the control circuit and/or manually controlled to inflate and deflate the cuff.
• the sphygmomanometer 314 and the pulse oximeter 316 are coupled to the body 302.
• the body 302 may include one or more ports (e.g., USB ports, etc.) in communication with the control circuit. Each port may be positioned along a side surface, a rear surface, etc. of the body 302.
• the sphygmomanometer 314 and the pulse oximeter 316 may be detachably coupled to the ports.
• the sphygmomanometer 314 and/or the pulse oximeter 316 may be physically attached to a portion of the body 102 and/or in communication with the control circuit as further explained below.
• the sphygmomanometer 314 and the pulse oximeter 316 may be in communication with the control circuit.
• the control circuit may receive signals from the sphygmomanometer 314 and/or the pulse oximeter 316.
• the sphygmomanometer 314 and/or the pulse oximeter 316 may be controlled (e.g., activated, inflated, etc.) by signals received from the control circuit and/or other sources such as user-activated switches (e.g., ON/OFF buttons on the sphygmomanometer 314 and the pulse oximeter 316).
• Fig. 4 illustrates a system 400 including a body 402 and two defibrillator paddles 404, 406 extending from opposing sides 408, 410 of the body 402.
• the system 400 further includes a control circuit (e.g., a microcontroller, etc.) 412 in communication with the defibrillator paddles 404, 406, and sensing devices 414, 416, 418, 420 in communication with the control circuit 412.
• a control circuit e.g., a microcontroller, etc.
• the defibrillator paddles 404, 406 may be coupled to the body 402 through ports positioned on the sides 408, 410 of the body 402. The ports are in communication with the control circuit 412. In such examples, the defibrillator paddles 404, 406 may be detachably coupled to the ports.
• the defibrillator paddles 404, 406 of Fig. 4 may be movable. For example, when not being used, the defibrillator paddles 404, 406 may be moved and stored in one or more compartments on a backside of the body 402. If needed, the paddles 404, 406 may be moved (e.g., removed from the compartment(s)) and positioned against the user’s chest.
• EKG and/or the control circuit 412 incorporated into the body 402 may analyze the cardiac rhythm.
• commands to deliver a shock may be provided from a computing device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet, etc.) in communication with the control circuit 412 based on the cardiac rhythm.
• Fig. 5 illustrates another example system 500 including a body 502, the sensing devices 414, 416, 418, 420 of Fig. 4, and an ultrasound probe 504 extending from a side of the body 502.
• the ultrasound probe 504 may employ different modes (e.g., an A-mode, a B-mode, a M-mode and a Doppler mode) as is conventional in the medical field.
• the system 500 further includes a control circuit (e.g., similar to the control circuit 412 of Fig. 4) that is in communication with the sensing devices 414, 416, 418, 420 and the ultrasound probe 504.
• the body 502 is a pliable object such as a pillow, a mat, a pad, etc.
• the ultrasound probe 504 may include various components that produce sound waves that bounce off body tissues of the user and receive echoes based on the produced sound waves.
• the ultrasound probe 504 may include a transmitter pulse generator for generating sound waves, a transducer for receiving echoes, one or more compensating amplifiers, a user control unit, a processor (e.g., a digital processor), etc.
• the system 500 includes one ultrasound probe 504.
• the system 500 (and/or any other system disclosed herein) may include any suitable number of ultrasound probes.
• the system 500 may include two ultrasound probes, three ultrasound probes, four ultrasound probes, etc. in communication with the control circuit.
• the user control device 604 includes multiple selectable inputs for controlling features of the system 600, conveying messages, etc.
• the device 604 includes five selectable inputs 606, 608, 610, 612, 614. In other examples, the device 604 may include more or less inputs if desired.
• the selectable inputs 606, 608, 610, 612, 614 of the user control device 604 may provide different functions.
• the input 606 may turn on components (e.g., the sensing devices 414, 416, 418, 420, the control circuit, etc.) in the body 602, and the input 608 may turn off components in the body 602.
• the user or another individual may select (e.g., push) the input 606 to provide power to the components and/or select the input 608 to interrupt power to the components.
• the inputs 606, 608 may be combined into one input.
• the user (or another individual) may select (e.g., push) the input a first time to provide power to the components and/or select the input a second time to interrupt power to the components.
• the input 610 may convey a message signifying the user is okay
• the input 612 may convey a message signifying a need for help with certain medical needs identified (e.g., based on the devices 414, 416, 418, 420)
• the input 614 may convey a message signifying that a need for immediate help (e.g., an emergency).
• the inputs 610, 612, 614 may include different indicators (e.g., colors, numbers, letters, etc.) representing the different messages to allow the user to identify which input is desirable to select. For example, the input 610 may be green, the input 612 may be yellow, and the input 614 may be red.
• Fig. 7 illustrates another example system 700 including a body 702, various sensing devices for sensing physiological parameters of a user, and a control circuit (not shown) in communication with the sensing devices.
• the body 702 is a pliable object such as a pillow, a mat, a pad, etc. that may be positionable against the user’s chest.
• the sensing devices include a stethoscope head 704, a PPG sensor 708, a temperature sensor 712, and multiple EKG leads 706a-h.
• the stethoscope head 704, the PPG sensor 708, the temperature sensor 712, and the EKG leads 706a may function and be used in a similar manner as other stethoscope heads, PPG sensors, temperature sensors, and EKG leads disclosed herein.
• the EKG leads 706a-f may represent, for example, precordial leads V1 through V6, and the EKG leads 706g-h may represent right and left arm EKG leads.
• any one of the systems may include another suitable body type that may be used to contact a portion of a user’s body such as a user’s back, chest, etc.
• any one of the systems disclosed herein may include a body in the form of a vest, a backpack, etc.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 including a body 802, and the stethoscope heads 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, the EKG leads 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, the PPG sensor 208, the BCG sensor 210, and the temperature sensor 212 of Fig. 2.
• the body 802 is a vest wearable by a user.
• the vest includes a front side and a back side.
• the front side is positioned adjacent to the chest of the user (e.g., an anterior portion of the user) and the back side is positioned adjacent to the back of the user (e.g., a posterior portion of the user).
• the sensing devices of Fig. 8 may be positioned on a back side and/or a front side of the vest.
• the stethoscope heads 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, the EKG leads 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, the PPG sensor 208, the BCG sensor 210, and the temperature sensor 212 may be positioned on the back side of the vest for collecting one or more physiological parameters (e.g., vital signs) of the user when the user is wearing the vest.
• the stethoscope heads 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, the EKG leads 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, the PPG sensor 208, the BCG sensor 210, and the temperature sensor 212 are adjacent to portions of the user’s back.
• one or more of the various sensing devices of Fig. 8 may be positioned on the front side of the vest and adjacent to portions of the user’s chest.
• the vest may be sized and shaped to conform to the user’s body such that the sensing devices are in close proximity, and in some cases in contact, with the user’s back and/or chest.
• any one or more of the stethoscope heads 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d, the EKG leads 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d, the PPG sensor 208, the BCG sensor 210, and the temperature sensor 212 may be positioned on the front side of the vest if desired.
• any one of the systems disclosed herein may include a body in the form a backpack-like shape.
• the body may include a panel and one or more straps extending between portions of the panel.
• One or more sensing devices (e.g., any one or more of the sensing devices disclosed herein) may be positioned on the panel.
• the panel When the body is worn by the user, the panel may be adjacent to the user’s back and the one or more straps may extend around the user’s chest and/or shoulders to secure the body to the user.
• the panel may be adjacent to the user’s chest and the one or more straps may extend around the user’s back when the body is worn by the user.
• the sensing devices positioned on the panel may be adjacent to portions of the user’s back or chest.
• Figs. 1-8 are shown with a specific number of particular sensing devices, it should be apparent that any one of the systems may include another suitable number of sensing devices if desired.
• the system 100 of Fig. 1 may include a single EKG lead, a single stethoscope head, or four EKG leads and five stethoscope heads.
• the system 200 of Fig. 2 may include, for example, three EKG leads, two stethoscope heads, two PPG sensors, and two BCG sensors, etc.
• the stethoscope heads 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and EKG leads 106a, 106b, 106c of Fig. 1 may be embedded within the pillow’s soft shell, a pulse oximeter may be positioned on an exterior surface of the pillow, a temperature probe may be positioned on an exterior surface of the pillow, etc.
• the sensing devices disclosed herein may be in direct and/or indirect contact with the skin of a user when sensing one or more physiological parameters of the user. For example, some of the sensing devices may effectively sense one or more physiological parameters of a user without being in contact with the user’s skin.
• the sensing devices may sense the one or more physiological parameters through another object such as a piece of clothing (e.g., a shirt, etc.).
• Example sensing devices that may not require skin contact may include, for example, stethoscope heads/sensors, BCG sensors, etc.
• some of the sensing devices disclosed herein may require skin contact to effectively sense one or more physiological parameters of the user.
• Example sensing devices requiring skin contact may include, for example, temperature sensors/probes, PPG sensors, etc.
• some sensing devices such as EKG leads (e.g., electrodes) may effectively sense one or more physiological parameters through direct and/or indirect contact with the user’s skin depending on, for example, which type of EKG leads are employed.
• the sensing devices disclosed herein may be strategically positioned to capture particular data of the user.
• the stethoscope heads 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d of Fig. 1 may be positioned to capture data (e.g., sound) corresponding to upper and lower potions of each lung of the user.
• the stethoscope heads 104a, 104d may capture data correspond to an upper portion and a lower portion, respectively, of one of the lungs.
• the EKG leads 106a, 106b, 106c of Fig. 1 may correspond to an augmented vector right (aVR) lead, an augmented vector left (aVL) lead, and/or an augmented vector foot (aVF) lead.
• aVR augmented vector right
• aVL augmented vector left
• aVF augmented vector foot
• the sensing devices are in communication a control circuit.
• the sensing devices may be in communication with the control circuit via a wireless and/or wired connection.
• the control circuit may receive data from the detachable sensing devices and/or the physically attached sensing devices (e.g., the devices embedded within the body, positioned in and/or on a surface of the body, etc.) via a wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth, an RF module, etc.) and/or a wired connection.
• a wireless connection e.g., a Bluetooth, an RF module, etc.
• one or more of the sensing devices e.g., a digital scale
• the control circuit disclosed herein may include an analog control circuit, a digital control circuit (e.g., a digital signal controller (DSC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, etc.), or a hybrid control circuit (e.g., a digital control unit and an analog circuit).
• a digital control circuit e.g., a digital signal controller (DSC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, etc.
• a hybrid control circuit e.g., a digital control unit and an analog circuit.
• any one of the control circuits may be a component on a circuit board (e.g., a printed circuit board) such as a motherboard.
• the circuit board may include the control circuit, filter(s), input connectors, receiver/transceiver modules, etc.
• control circuits may be positioned in any suitable location.
• any one of the control circuits may be embedded within its associated body.
• any one of the control circuits may be positioned external to its associated body.
• a transmitter may be embedded within the body, and in communication with the external control circuit.
• any one of the control circuits may be in communication with a computing device such as a server (e.g., a cloud-based server, etc.) a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, etc.
• the computing device may receive data relating to one or more vital signs of the user.
• data may include sensed data from the sensing device and collected by the control circuit, derived (e.g., processed) data based on the sensed data, etc.
• Fig. 9 illustrates a system 900 including a body 902 and a computing device 904.
• the body 902 includes two sensing devices 906a, 906b, and a control circuit 908 in communication with the sensing devices 906a, 906b.
• the control circuit 908 and the sensing devices 906a, 906b may be in communication with each other via a wireless and/or a wired connection as explained above.
• the control circuit 908 may receive, from the sensing devices 906a, 906b, physiological parameters of a user.
• the sensing devices 906a, 906b may include any suitable devices for sensing vital signs and/or other desirable data of a user as explained above.
• each sensing device 906a, 906b may include any one of the devices disclosed herein such as a stethoscope head (and a corresponding microphone), an EKG lead, a temperature probe/sensor, a pulse oximeter, a PPG sensor, a BCG sensor, etc.
• the computing device 904 is in communication with the control circuit 908. This allows the computing device 904 to receive physiological parameters sensed by the sensing devices 906a, 906b and/or data derived from the sensed physiological parameters.
• the computing device 904 may include a software application 910 that generates a warning based on the physiological parameters, displays the physiological parameters (and/or characteristics derived from the physiological parameters) on a display 912, and/or transmits the warning and/or the physiological parameters to a healthcare worker such as a doctor, nurse, etc.
• the computing device 904 may provide data, commands, etc. to the control circuit 908.
• the computing device 904 and the control circuit 908 may send and/or receive data via a wireless connection such as a local wireless network such as
• Bluetooth Wireless Fidelity
• Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
• Each of the bodies disclosed herein may be positioned on a chair, a bed, a floor, a wall, and/or another suitable location to allow a user to recline against and contact the body.
• the chair, the bed, etc. may be located in a hospital, a doctor’s office, a user’s home, etc. This may allow the user to position his/her back, chest, etc. against the body as desired. In some embodiments, the user may hold the body against his/her chest without placing the body on a chair, a bed, etc.
• Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a chair 1000 and the system 100 of Fig. 100 including the body 102 positioned on the chair 1000.
• the body 102 is placed on a backrest portion of the chair 1000.
• This allows a user 1100 to sit in an upright position on the chair 1000 and rest his/her back against (and contact) the body 102, as shown in Fig. 11.
• the user 1100 may sit on the chair 1000 in another manner such that the user’s chest rests against (and contacts) the body 102.
• legs of the user 1100 may extend on opposing sides of the backrest of the chair 1000.
• the bodies disclosed herein may be adjustable to accommodate different users.
• the body 102 of Fig. 1 may include one or more fasteners such as brackets, straps, etc. to allow a user to adjust the position of the body 102 relative to a chair, a bed, etc. This may allow users having of different heights, body types, etc. to contact the body (e.g., the body 102, etc.) as desired.
• the brackets, straps, etc. may be adjusted to move the body 102 (e.g., vertically and/or horizontal) along the backrest portion of the chair 1000 of Figs. 10 and 11 to accommodate different users.
• the body 102 may be positioned near a lower end of the backrest portion of the chair 1000 as shown in Fig. 10, near an upper end of the backrest portion of the chair 1000 as shown in Fig. 11 , etc.
• Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate another example of a chair 1200 and a body 1202 (e.g., a pliable object) positioned on a backrest of the chair 1200.
• the body 1202 includes the defibrillator paddles 404, 406 of Fig. 4, the sensing devices 414, 416, 418, 420 of Fig. 4, the ultrasound probe 504 of Fig. 5, the user control device 604 of Fig. 6, and a control circuit (not shown) in communication with the defibrillator paddles 404, 406, the sensing devices 414, 416, 418, 420, and the user control device 604.
• a user may sit in the chair 1200 to utilize the various components of the body 1202. For example, the user may sit in the chair 1200 in a forward manner so that the user’s back rests against (and contacts) the body. Alternatively, the user may sit in the chair 1200 in a backward manner so that the user’s chest rests against (and contacts) the body 1202
• Figs. 17, 19 and 21 illustrate graphs 1700, 1900, 2100 of example contour lines of the signals shown in Figs. 16, 18 and 20.
• the graphs 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100 show how normal, wheezing, and crackle lung sounds look different (just as they sound different).
• the graph 1600 of Fig. 16 represents normal vesicular breath sounds
• the graph 1800 of Fig. 18 represents high- pitched wheezing sounds
• the graph 2000 of Fig. 20 represents high-pitched crackling sounds.
• the graph 1700 of Fig. 16 represents normal vesicular breath sounds
• the graph 1800 of Fig. 18 represents high- pitched wheezing sounds
• the graph 2000 of Fig. 20 represents high-pitched crackling sounds.
• any one of the control circuits disclosed herein may analyze lung sounds detected by the stethoscope sensing device(s), and extract contour lines of the lung sounds for diagnostic purposes.
• a baseline may be created based on previous breath sounds of a user. This baseline data may be compared to current breath sounds of the user to detect changes in the user’s breath sounds over time.
• the normal breath sounds of the graphs 1600, 1700 may represent baseline breath sounds of a user.
• the wheezing sounds and/or the crackling sounds of the graphs 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100 may represent the user’s breath sounds later in time.
• the control circuit may compare data (e.g., amplitude values, frequency of increased amplitude values, duration of increased amplitude values, etc.) from the normal breath sounds and the wheezing and/or the crackling sounds, and generate a warning (e.g., an alert) for a doctor, a nurse, a user, etc.
• a warning e.g., an alert
• the control circuit may provide graphical data to the doctor, the nurse, the user, etc.
• Figs. 22-24 illustrate graphs 2200, 2300, 2400 of example signals representing heart sounds of a user sensed by any one of the stethoscopes and EKG (e.g., ECG) sensing devices disclosed herein.
• the graph 2200 of Fig. 22 represents normal heart sounds from the stethoscope
• the graph 2300 of Fig. 23 represents a detrended ECG signal
• the graph 2400 of Fig. 24 shows peaks in the ECG signal of Fig. 23.
• the graph 2400 shows peaks for various waves (e.g., Q, R, S, P, T waves).
• points 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408, 2410 represent peaks of Q, R, S, P, T waves, respectively, over multiple cycles.
• points 2412, 2414 represent a start and an end of the P wave, respectively
• points 2416, 2418 represent a start and an end of the T wave, respectively, over multiple cycles.
• Any one of the control circuits disclosed herein may analyze heart sounds detected by the stethoscopes, extract a detrended ECG signal, and detect key ECG features (e.g., features relating to the Q, R, S, P, T waves) as shown in the graph 2400 of Fig. 24 for diagnostic purposes.
• the control circuit(s) may provide data to a healthcare worker, a user (e.g., patient), etc. based on the graph 2400.
• Such data may include, for example, a beat rate data (e.g., 0.812645 seconds per beat, 48.758715 beats per minutes, etc.), an average rise time (e.g., 39 msec), an average fall time (e.g., 34 msec), an average rise level (e.g., 10 msec), an average fall level (e.g., 12 msec), an average QRS complex (e.g., 73 msec), an average PR segment (e.g., 41 msec), an average PR interval (e.g., 164 msec), an average ST segment (e.g., 31 msec), an average QT interval (e.g., 425 msec), etc.
• a beat rate data e.g., 0.812645 seconds per beat, 48.758715 beats per minutes, etc.
• an average rise time e.g., 39 msec
• an average fall time e.g., 34 msec
• an average rise level
• a baseline may be created based on previous heart sounds of a user. This baseline data may be compared to current heart sounds of the user to detect changes over time.
• the systems disclosed herein may be configurable to obtain a blood pressure of a user, with or without employing a sphygmomanometer such as the sphygmomanometer 314 of Fig. 3.
• a blood pressure of a user may be estimated based on signals from one or both of a PPG sensor (e.g., the PPG sensor 208 of Fig. 2, etc.) and a BCG sensor (e.g., the BCG sensor 210 of Fig. 2, etc.), in conjunction with signals from one or more EKG leads (e.g., one or more of the EKG leads 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d of Fig. 2, etc.).
• a PPG sensor e.g., the PPG sensor 208 of Fig. 2, etc.
• a BCG sensor e.g., the BCG sensor 210 of Fig. 2, etc.
• EKG leads e.g., one or more of the EKG leads 206a, 206b,
• Figs. 25-28 illustrate graphs of example PPG, ECG, and/or BCG waveforms that may be used to estimate a blood pressure of a user. Any one of the control circuits disclosed herein may analyze one or more waveforms of Figs. 25-28, and estimate a user’s blood pressure based on the waveform(s).
• Fig. 25 illustrates a graph 2500 of a PPG waveform 2502 and an accelerated photoplethysmograph (APG) waveform 2504.
• An APG signal e.g., the waveform 2504 is a second-order differential of a PPG signal (e.g., the waveform 2502).
• a slope transit time STT is determined between a foot and a peak of the PPG waveform 2502.
• a STT value is determined by dividing the rise (y) by the run (x) between the foot and the peak of the PPG waveform 2502.
• a systolic blood pressure may be estimated based on the STT value of the PPG waveform 2502.
• the APG waveform 2504 may be employed to estimate a blood pressure of a user. For instance, and as shown in Fig. 25, peaks a, b, c, d, e corresponding to different waves may be determined in the APG waveform 2504.
• the waves corresponding to peaks a, b are systolic anterior components (e.g., driving pressure waves caused by blood ejection)
• the waves corresponding to peaks c, d are systolic posterior components (e.g., reflection pressure waves where the driving pressure waves propagated to the periphery and then came back)
• the wave corresponding to peak e is a diastolic component (e.g., a peripheral blood flow after an aortic valve closes).
• a blood pressure of a user may be estimated based on the waves corresponding to peaks a, b, c, d, e.
• an increase in a systolic blood pressure generally causes the peak a to increase and the peaks b, e to decrease
• an increase in a diastolic blood pressure generally causes the peak a to decrease and the peaks b, e to increase.
• Fig. 26 illustrates a graph 2600 of an ECG waveform 2602 and PPG waveforms 2604, 2606.
• the PPG waveforms 2604, 2606 represent signals from PPG sensors located at different sites (e.g., proximal and distal sites) of a user.
• a pulse arrival time (PAT) may be determined based on the sum of a pre-ejection time (PEP) and a pulse transit times (PTT).
• PEP may be a time period between the opening of an aortic valve (e.g., an R-peak of an ECG signal) and a q-wave of an ECG signal
• PTT may be a time period for a pulse to propagate from a proximal site to a distal site.
• a blood pressure may be estimated based on PAT.
• a blood pressure may be estimated based on different values of PAT, which are calculated based on different PTT values.
• Fig. 27 illustrates a graph 2700 of an ECG waveform 2702, a PPG waveform 2704, and a BCG waveform 2706.
• a blood pressure may be estimated based on the PPG waveform 2704 and the BCG waveform 2706.
• peaks H, I, J, K, L corresponding to different waves may be determined in the BCG waveform 2706
• a time difference TD may be determined based on the PPG waveform 2704 and the BCG waveform 2706.
• TD may represent an interval between the J peak in the BCG waveform 2706 and a systolic peak in the PPG waveform 2704, as shown in Fig. 27.
• a blood pressure may be estimated based on the TD interval.
• VTT may represent an interval from the first heart sound S1 of the PCG waveform 2806 and a systolic peak of the PPG waveform 2804, as shown in Fig. 28.
• a blood pressure may be estimated based on the VTT interval.
• data from sensing device(s) for various patients may be viewable on a graphical user interface (GUI) of any one of the computing device disclosed herein.
• GUI graphical user interface
• the computing device’s GUI may provide various inputs to allow a healthcare worker, a user, etc. to select and view data relating to a patient’s lung sounds, heart sounds, temperature, oximeter readings, blood pressure, etc.
• the healthcare worker, the user, etc. may select one or more inputs on the GUI to instruct the sensing device(s) to sense new data relating to the patient’s lung sounds, heart sounds, temperature, oximeter readings, blood pressure, etc.
• detections of deterioration detection, predictions of deterioration, etc. of users may be identified.
• one or more signals from the sensing devices disclosed herein may be utilized to detect early signs of clinical deterioration and/or predict future deterioration of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), asthma, acute myocardial infarctions, etc.
• COPD chronic obstructive lung disease
• CHF congestive heart failure
• asthma acute myocardial infarctions

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